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Senior Tripawd Tessa Stays Strong with Rehab Exercises
My Tripawd name is Tessa. She is a young at heart very healthy 14yo mix breed beagle/Shepard mix who we rescued as a young puppy. This was her second round of cancer her first was 2015 for a mass on her hind quarter that was removed twice. This round she had a mass on her front left elbow. My local vet removed it and she was diagnosed with a high grade sarcoma. We were referred to Penn Vet hospital for Oncology consult. They did another surgery 9/2020 which came back low grade sarcoma, we then were told to watch and wait. Jan 2022 it returned and was rapidly growing.
We returned to Penn Vet and amputation was recommended as treatment and would be considered curable with low risk of metastasis. We were very apprehensive due to her age and already having arthritis in her rear legs but they reassured me she would adapt. It may take a little longer but she would do fine. Friday March 25 Tessa became a senior Tripawd.
I decided to pursue rehab due to her age and since she already had arthritis. At her evaluation they did a laser treatment to decrease inflammation and relax muscles. The Doctor did passive range of motion to her joints to help maintain her flexibility. We are to do these 1-2 times a day 10-15 reps. They also did some repetitive strength exercises for her rear legs and her remaining front leg.
Having her sit and stand for 3-5 reps, step up with her front leg onto a step and hold it for 5 seconds repeat 3 times,walk on an uneven surface 20-30 seconds repeat 3 times, cookie stretches having her turn to her side and holding 5 seconds to strengthen her front side muscles repeat 3 times each way. We are supposed to do three of these exercises 1 time per day.
Lastly they introduced her to two short walks on a water treadmill. We will starting with one session a week for four weeks in addition to our home program.
I hope to increase her strength and flexibility to prevent or slow down future damage and maintain her senior Tripawd comfort and ambulation.
We went to WAG Whole Animal Gym in Langhorne, PA and saw Dr Jennifer Magilton.
~ Deborah & Senior Tripawd Tessa